Motion Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Motion Graphic Designer

Company: Wordsmith AI

Location: London / Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Own and define the motion design strategy for a fast-growing Legal AI SaaS company, translating complex workflows into compelling visual narratives.

• Develop and produce high-impact video content, including launch videos, feature announcements, social assets, and product storytelling that drives brand perception and growth.

• Build and scale a comprehensive motion system, establishing templates, transitions, components, and export standards to ensure consistent, high-quality output.

• Collaborate closely with Design, Growth, Product Marketing, and Founders to bring creative ideas to life rapidly and effectively, influencing how the market experiences the Wordsmith brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "founding motion role," indicating significant autonomy and the opportunity to establish foundational processes and standards for motion design within the company. The emphasis on AI tools and a "founding" aspect suggests a need for a proactive, strategic individual who can not only execute but also innovate and build out the function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce engaging launch videos, feature announcements, and product animations that clearly communicate Wordsmith's value proposition.

• Transform abstract and complex legal workflows into easily understandable and visually compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Architect and implement a scalable motion system, including reusable templates, transitions, and export standards, to ensure brand consistency and efficient content creation.

• Create a diverse range of visual assets for social media, events, conferences, and sales enablement, tailored to specific platform and audience needs.

• Partner effectively with writers, designers, and product marketers from the initial concept stage through to final delivery, ensuring cohesive storytelling.

• Contribute to defining and refining how motion design supports and enhances the overall brand identity, growth initiatives, and product messaging.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance the quality, speed, and creative scope of motion design output, staying at the forefront of industry innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative execution and strategic system building. The expectation to "build a motion system" and "help define how motion supports brand, growth, and product storytelling" suggests this role requires more than just design skills; it demands strategic thinking about how motion contributes to business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience is paramount. Candidates with degrees in Graphic Design, Animation, Digital Media, or related fields will find their foundational knowledge beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of professional motion design experience is required, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked in-house at product-focused technology or SaaS companies. This experience should include a track record of shipping work that has directly contributed to marketing or product initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in motion design, with a strong reel showcasing shipped work and the ability to articulate creative decisions and outcomes.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe After Effects for animation and motion graphics creation.

• Strong command of Figma for design integration, collaboration, and asset preparation.

• Competency in Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing and final assembly.

• Exceptional visual storytelling and narrative instincts, with the ability to simplify complex technical or abstract concepts into clear, engaging visuals.

• A proactive and ownership-driven mindset, comfortable with building and scaling a function rather than just executing assigned tasks.

• High initiative and self-motivation, with a proven ability to identify needs and drive projects forward independently.

• An AI-first mentality, actively exploring and integrating modern AI tools to enhance creative output and efficiency. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with web animation technologies such as Rive, Lottie, or GSAP.

• Familiarity with 3D design software, including Cinema 4D or Blender.

• Hands-on experience with emerging AI video generation and editing tools.

• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining reusable motion systems or design libraries.

• Understanding of web design principles and how motion integrates into digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipped work you can talk through clearly" and "ownership mindset — you’re comfortable building a function" strongly suggests that candidates should prepare to discuss their past projects in detail, focusing on the impact and the strategic decisions made, rather than just the technical execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3 years of professional motion design work, with a clear emphasis on product-focused technology or SaaS projects.

• Detailed case studies for at least 2-3 significant projects, illustrating the problem, your creative process, the tools and techniques used, and the tangible impact (e.g., engagement metrics, conversion rates, brand perception shifts).

• Demonstrations of your ability to translate complex workflows and abstract ideas into clear, compelling visual narratives, ideally through product animations or explainer videos.

• Examples of your work with AI tools to enhance speed, quality, or creative range in your motion design output.

• Evidence of your ability to build and maintain motion systems, including templates, style guides, or component libraries, showcasing consistency and scalability. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulated process for concept development, storyboarding, and script collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Documentation of your workflow for creating and iterating on product animations, from initial brief to final delivery, highlighting efficiency and quality control checkpoints.

• Examples of how you establish and manage export standards and asset libraries to ensure seamless integration across various platforms and applications.

• Case studies that demonstrate your approach to measuring the effectiveness of motion assets and iterating based on performance data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a "founding motion role," the portfolio should not only showcase execution but also strategic thinking about process and systemization. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would build out the motion function, including defining workflows, standards, and best practices from the ground up.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on regional data for experienced Motion Graphic Designers in London/Edinburgh, UK (as of late 2023/early 2024), a competitive salary range for this role with 3-5 years of experience would typically fall between £50,000 - £70,000 per annum. This estimate accounts for the specialized skills in After Effects, Figma, product storytelling, and the "founding role" aspect, which often commands a premium.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity in a rapidly growing AI company.

• Opportunity to own and shape the motion design function from its inception.

• High-impact work with visible influence on brand perception, growth, and product storytelling.

• Close partnership with senior marketing, design, and founding teams.

• Potential for professional development and learning in AI-driven creative tools.

• Standard UK employment benefits (e.g., pension contributions, holiday allowance) are expected.

Working Hours: The role specifies a standard 40-hour work week. The company culture emphasizes collaboration and in-office presence for speed and effectiveness, suggesting a hybrid model where in-office days are expected in the chosen hub (London or Edinburgh). Flexibility may be offered, but the default expectation is active participation in the office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in the UK tech sector, considering the specified experience level and the strategic importance of this "founding" position. Equity is explicitly mentioned as a significant part of the compensation package, common for early-stage, high-growth tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software as a Service (SaaS), specifically Legal AI and Legal Operations platforms. Wordsmith AI is positioned at the intersection of AI, legal technology, and business operations, aiming to modernize in-house legal functions.

Company Size: Wordsmith AI is described as "growing fast" and backed by significant funding ($100M from prominent investors), suggesting it's beyond the early startup phase and likely in a growth-stage environment, potentially ranging from 50-200 employees. This size indicates a dynamic atmosphere with evolving processes and a strong emphasis on scaling.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's backing and customer base (over 500 companies) indicate it has been operational for several years and has achieved significant market traction.

Team Structure:

• The motion design role is presented as a "founding motion role," implying it will likely operate within or closely with the Design and Marketing/Growth teams.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Design, Growth, Product Marketing, and the Founders.

• The reporting structure is not explicitly detailed but would likely be to a Head of Design, Marketing Director, or a senior founder, depending on the current organizational setup. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Storytelling: The company emphasizes using motion to communicate complex product features and workflows, suggesting an approach that marries creative storytelling with clear data and process visualization.

• AI Integration: A core aspect of Wordsmith's product and company ethos is the integration of AI tools to enhance efficiency and output, which extends to their creative processes.

• Pace and Craft: The culture values both speed ("move faster") and quality ("the standard matters"), indicating a need for designers who can deliver high-quality work efficiently.

• In-Office Collaboration: The company promotes an in-office environment for collaboration, speed, and better work output, fostering a team-oriented and communicative culture.

Company Website: https://www.wordsmith.ai

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "Legal AI" and "Legal Operations" means that visual communication needs to balance technical sophistication with clear, user-friendly explanations. The "founding role" aspect implies a culture that values initiative, autonomy, and the ability to shape processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level to Senior Individual Contributor. As a "founding motion role," it offers significant ownership and the potential to shape the function. While not a management role initially, the opportunity exists to grow into a lead position or specialize further as the company scales. The expectation is for someone who can operate independently and strategically.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will likely report to a Head of Design, Marketing Director, or a senior member of the Product Marketing team. Direct collaboration with founders is also highlighted, indicating high visibility and influence.

Operations Impact: The motion designer will have a direct and significant impact on Wordsmith's brand perception, customer acquisition, and product adoption. High-quality motion graphics are critical for:

• Brand Storytelling: Communicating the company's mission and value proposition effectively.

• Product Education: Simplifying complex AI-driven legal operations workflows for potential and existing customers.

• Growth Marketing: Creating engaging assets for social media, advertising, and content marketing campaigns that drive pipeline.

• Sales Enablement: Providing visual tools that help the sales team articulate the product's benefits.

Growth Opportunities:

• Functional Leadership: Opportunity to build and lead the motion design function, potentially growing into a Motion Design Lead or Director role.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven creative tools, advanced animation techniques (3D, web motion), and building scalable design systems.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deep understanding of Product Marketing, Growth Strategy, and SaaS product development through close collaboration.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the visual identity and communication strategy of a rapidly scaling AI company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding role" nature of this position suggests that career growth will be tied to the company's expansion and the candidate's ability to proactively build out the motion design capabilities. The impact described is substantial, emphasizing the strategic importance of visual communication in a competitive SaaS market.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Wordsmith AI operates with an "in-office team" philosophy, emphasizing collaboration and speed. This suggests a hybrid work model where employees are expected to work from a physical office hub (London or Edinburgh) for a significant portion of the week. The culture values face-to-face interaction for enhanced productivity and teamwork.

Office Location(s): The role is advertised for London and Edinburgh. Candidates are expected to be based in or willing to relocate to one of these hubs. Specific office addresses and facilities would be detailed during the hiring process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on in-office work means the workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with shared spaces, meeting rooms, and opportunities for spontaneous interaction.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) is expected. The company also encourages the use of AI tools, suggesting a tech-forward environment where new technologies are embraced.

• Team Interaction: Expect frequent interaction with designers, marketers, product managers, and founders, providing diverse perspectives and opportunities for learning. The culture is described as "high trust," implying autonomy within a collaborative framework.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical. While the company values pace, the emphasis on "craft" suggests a balance between efficient output and high-quality results, avoiding a culture of burnout. The hybrid model likely offers some flexibility in scheduling within the work week, provided team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "in-office team" approach is a key differentiator. Candidates who prefer fully remote work may find this less appealing, while those who thrive in a collaborative, hub-based environment will find it beneficial for networking and rapid iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Submission: Submit resume and a link to your portfolio.

2. Portfolio Review & Initial Screening: The hiring team will review your portfolio for relevant experience, craft, and storytelling ability. Candidates may be asked to elaborate on specific projects.

3. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focusing on your experience, approach to motion design, understanding of product storytelling, and fit with the company's culture and values. This stage will likely delve into your "ownership mindset" and "AI-first mentality."

4. Design Challenge / Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present your portfolio in detail, discussing your process, decision-making, and impact. Alternatively, a practical design challenge focused on a hypothetical Wordsmith product feature or workflow might be given.

5. Team/Founder Interviews: Further conversations to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and strategic thinking with key team members and potentially founders.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates product animation, clear narrative, and ideally, impact on business goals (growth, adoption).

• Highlight "Founding Role" Capabilities: Include examples of how you've built systems, established standards, or taken initiative beyond executing briefs.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the tools used (especially After Effects, Figma, AI tools), your creative decisions, and the outcomes or impact.

• Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio as a narrative of your career and skills, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively through your presentation.

• Prepare for AI Discussions: Be ready to talk about how you've used AI tools and your vision for integrating them further.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Wordsmith: Research the company's product, target audience, and market positioning. Familiarize yourself with their existing brand and any existing motion assets.

• Focus on Clarity: If given a challenge, prioritize clear communication of complex legal operations concepts through motion. Simplicity and effectiveness are key.

• Showcase Process: Even in a challenge, demonstrate your thought process, even if it's sketching out ideas or outlining a storyboard.

• Time Management: Be mindful of time constraints and focus on delivering a well-articulated concept or a polished piece, depending on the challenge format.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "building a function" and "ownership" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate initiative, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, not just technical execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Essential for core motion graphics, animation, and visual effects. Proficiency expected at an advanced level.

• Figma: Crucial for collaborative design, asset preparation, and potentially creating simple animations or prototypes for motion. Integration with design systems is key.

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Required for editing video sequences, assembling final renders, and basic video production tasks.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly used for motion design creation, understanding how motion assets contribute to analytics and reporting (e.g., view-through rates, engagement metrics on social media) is beneficial. The candidate will likely work with teams who use tools like:

• Google Analytics / Adobe Analytics: For website and campaign performance tracking.

• Social Media Analytics Platforms: For tracking engagement on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.

CRM & Automation: The motion designer will create assets that support CRM and marketing automation efforts, but direct use of CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot is unlikely unless for asset retrieval or campaign context.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how motion assets are integrated into platforms (e.g., marketing automation workflows, website CMS) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are clearly defined (After Effects, Figma, Premiere). The "AI-first mentality" suggests an openness to integrating new AI-powered tools for tasks like asset generation, scriptwriting assistance, or animation enhancement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craft & Quality: A strong emphasis on high standards and meticulous execution in all creative output. "The standard matters."

• Pace & Efficiency: The ability to move quickly and deliver results in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

• Ownership & Initiative: Employees are expected to take responsibility, identify opportunities, and drive projects forward proactively.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working closely with colleagues in an in-office setting to foster speed, creativity, and shared success.

• Innovation & AI-First: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to enhance creative capabilities and improve workflows.

• Impact & Growth: A focus on work that directly contributes to the company's growth, brand perception, and customer success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Design, Growth, Product Marketing, and Founders is paramount. This involves clear communication, active listening, and integrating feedback effectively.

• Process-Oriented: The company values building robust systems and processes, suggesting a collaborative approach to defining workflows, standards, and best practices.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback to refine creative output and improve overall effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of ideas, techniques, and learnings, especially regarding AI tools and efficient creative practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is described as a blend of high-performance expectations ("pace") with a commitment to quality ("craft"). The "high trust" environment combined with an "in-office" model suggests a culture that values both autonomy and close-knit teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be translating intricate legal operations and AI concepts into clear, concise, and visually appealing motion graphics that resonate with a business audience.

• Establishing a New Function: As the "founding motion role," establishing the motion design function, defining best practices, and building scalable systems from scratch will be a significant undertaking.

• Balancing Pace and Craft: Constantly navigating the demands of a fast-paced startup environment while maintaining exceptionally high creative standards.

• AI Integration: Staying ahead of the curve with rapidly evolving AI creative tools and effectively integrating them into workflows to enhance output and efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Motion System Development: Opportunity to design and implement a comprehensive motion design system, creating reusable assets and establishing brand guidelines for motion.

• AI Creative Tool Mastery: Deep dive into cutting-edge AI tools for video generation, animation assistance, and creative ideation, becoming an expert in this emerging field.

• Strategic Brand Influence: Play a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative and brand perception of a rapidly growing AI company.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain valuable experience working closely with product, marketing, and sales teams, understanding their needs and contributing to broader business objectives.

• Potential for Leadership: As the company grows, there's a clear path to leadership within the motion design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the "founding role" aspect, emphasizing the need for an individual who is not only a skilled designer but also a proactive builder and strategist. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering significant career development potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a motion design system from the ground up for a SaaS company like Wordsmith?" (Focus on process, scalability, and collaboration.)

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex technical concept visually. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate narrative instincts and problem-solving.)

• "What are your favorite AI tools for motion design, and how do you see them evolving the industry and your own workflow?" (Showcase AI-first mentality and forward-thinking.)

• "How do you balance speed and craft in a fast-paced startup environment?" (Address the company's core values.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Wordsmith's mission in Legal AI?" (Show research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you envision motion design supporting our growth marketing and product storytelling efforts?" (Connect your skills to business objectives.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with product marketing and design teams." (Assess teamwork and communication style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation to tell a story about your career journey and how your skills have evolved.

• Impact Over Execution: For each project, focus on the problem you solved, your strategic decisions, and the tangible impact it had (e.g., increased engagement, clearer understanding, campaign success).

• Process Transparency: Clearly explain your workflow, from initial brief to final delivery, highlighting how you used tools like After Effects, Figma, and AI.

• Demonstrate "Founding" Potential: Showcase instances where you've taken initiative, built systems, or contributed strategically beyond assigned tasks.

• Engage and Converse: Treat it as a dialogue, inviting questions and demonstrating your ability to articulate your vision and process clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily lean into demonstrating proactive, strategic thinking, and a clear understanding of how motion design contributes to business growth and brand building, especially within a tech/SaaS context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Motion Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, ensuring your resume and a portfolio link are included.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating product animation, clear visual storytelling of complex concepts, and ideally, any experience with SaaS or technology companies. Emphasize work that shows initiative or system-building.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of experience, proficiency in After Effects, Figma, and Premiere, and highlights your "ownership mindset" and "AI-first mentality" with specific examples.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your process, creative decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you would build the motion function at Wordsmith and your experience with AI tools.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Wordsmith AI, their product, target market, and existing brand presence. Understand their mission and how motion design can contribute to their growth and storytelling objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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